With today's skyrocketing heating oil costs, consumers are constantly on the lookout for less expensive ways to heat and also cool their homes. A method that taps into the earth's natural geothermic properties is become more and more popular each and every year all over the world, and it's also catching on in the United States. Here's a brief overview of how a geothermal system works to help you decide if it might be right for you and your family.

When you break down the word "geothermal," it actually means "earth heat." There are three ways in which the ground becomes heated: It retains a lot of heat from the earth's fire ball core, it is also heated due to the radioactive breakdown of minerals at higher levels, and its highest layers gather heat from the effects of the sun. Surprisingly, even areas that experience extremely cold ambient temperatures during the winter months can make use of geothermal heat extraction: the very top of the ground is frozen, but at just 10' below the surface, temperatures remain a constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

History of Geothermal Heating

The concept of extracting the earth's natural heat is hardly a new one: in fact, the idea is almost as old as man himself. For today's modern households, however, the challenge was to develop a mechanical system that was practical, effective, and not cost-prohibitive. Cost is probably the number one reason why geothermal methods have taken a back seat to oil, gas, and electrical systems, but today's improvements in technology have all but broken down the barriers that have held geothermal back in the past.

How Geothermal Heating and Cooling Works

Wells are drilled that allow the heat to be captured and transferred to a system of pipes. A carrier fluid in the pipes (usually a mix of water and anti-freeze) then transfers the heat back to the home where the heat is extracted from the fluid through the use of a specialized geothermal heat pump. The extracted heat along with the byproduct heat generated from the heat pump is used to heat the house. The system is self-contained and operates like a big loop. Following heat extraction, the liquid mixture returns to the earth where it is reheated and the whole process begins anew. When the direction of the heat flow is switched, the same system can be used to effectively cool a home during the summer months.

Geothermal heating and cooling can save the average home anywhere from 30 to 70% in heating costs and 20-50% for cooling. The energy used is a totally renewable resource, making a geothermal system a natural for ecologically-conscious consumers.